Key quotes from Blair on the euro

May 15 2002 Tony Blair told Newsnight's Jeremy Paxman he would be happy to be remembered as the man who told the British people they should join the single currency and that a political rejection of the euro would be "crazy".

"I certainly believe passionately that this country and its destiny lies in Europe.

"Should we stand apart from the alliance right on our doorstep as a country? It would be crazy to do that.

"It is an economic union. We shouldn't, for political reasons, stand aside. I don't believe that would be a fulfilment of our national interest. I believe it would be a betrayal of our national interest."

March 5 2002Talking to reporters on the plane back from the Commonwealth summit in Coolum, Australia, he hinted at the existence of a virtual sixth economic test for euro membership.

"The euro is now a reality, that's clear, but people will watch to see whether economically it's in their interests to do it and that's why the economic tests are important.

"There is an issue about the exchange rates when you come to the decision, but that's for the future."

December 30 2001In his new year's message, he made it clear he wanted the euro to be a successful, major international currency.

"'The new year sees the introduction of the European single currency. With so much of our trade and so many of our jobs tied up in business with the rest of Europe, it is massively in our interests that the euro succeeds."

"It remains the government's policy to join the euro provided that the five economic tests we have laid down are met and the British people give their consent in a referendum."

November 23 2001 "The tragedy for British politics - for Britain - has been that politicians of both parties have consistently failed, not just in the 1950s but on up to the present day, to appreciate the emerging reality of European integration. And in doing so they have failed Britain's interests."

June 6 2001 In his last pre-election interview, he told the Sun that Britons would be asked to dump the pound if he decides "the economics are right".

He admitted: "Even if it [taking Britain into the euro] is unpopular, I will recommend it if it is the right thing to do."

June 13 2001 In a jointly written article with the spanish prime minister, Jose Maria Aznar, in the Financial Times, he said the euro "is changing the face of Europe" and the European Central Bank has delivered low inflation and high growth across the continent.

He also stressed the damage done to British business by exchange rate fluctuations.

He said: "Europe's economic fundamentals are sound: sounder than they have been for over a generation.

"The EU's economies are growing and it is important to underline that they are now creating jobs in Europe faster than almost anywhere else in the developed world.

May 17 2000 During question time, the prime minister insisted he supported a statement by the then Northern Ireland secretary, Peter Mandelson, that business would continue to suffer while Britain remained outside the single currency.

He said: "The final say is with people in a referendum and what would be most damaging is to rule it out for five years or 10 years or whatever arbitrary period of time the Conservatives have."

"I believe that the test for the British people will in the end - and they will have the final say on that in a referendum - be what's good for British jobs, British prosperity and British industry. The sensible thing is not to set an arbitrary time limit but to say that you should judge it according to those economic conditions and that is precisely what we've done."

Feburary 2 2000 Mr Blair told the Commons that Tory opponents who had ruled out joining the euro in the next parliament were "foolish and backward".

He said he would not rule out the possibility of Britain joining the euro in the next parliament and insisted that keeping open the option of joining, subject to a referendum, was in the best interests of the British economy.

Mr Blair said: "The decision is quite simply this - there are those people who say we should join the euro now regardless of the economic conditions, and then there are those people like yourself who say we shouldn't join the euro, regardless of the economic conditions."

He said: "And what is in the national interest is to keep the option, to make the preparation so that we can join if we wish to do so, have the final choice with the British people in a referendum but do not end up getting into a situation where we retreat to the sidelines of Europe for the sake of pandering to a few anti-Europeans in your own party."

June 15 1998 Mr Blair said: "The decision to launch the single currency is the first step and marks the turning point for Europe, marks stability and growth and is crucial to high levels of growth and employment."

April 17 1997 In a celebrated interview he told the Sun: "I know exactly what the British people feel when they see the Queen's head on a £10 note. I feel it too.

"There is a strong emotional tie to the pound which I fully understand.

"Of course there are emotional issues involved in the single currency. It's about the sovereignty of Britain and constitutional issues, too."

April 1 1997 In a speech to businessmen in Derby he said "We would not join in any fudged single currency or one not in Britain's interests."

"We have already pointed out the formidable obstacles that lie in the path of joining in the first wave, if indeed that happens on schedule."

"To protect Britain's interests, it is right that the option remains open that we can influence events."

October 3 1995 Before Labour's bid for power, Mr Blair said a speech that it was a "disgrace" that the Conservative party had "reduced British foreign policy in Europe to the level of a joke".

He added: "Of course Europe needs reform. But Europe is a vital part of our national interest. To be sidelined without influence is ... a betrayal of Britain."